This November, take your same-day receipt to any participating West 1st business (1800 block area, Vancouver) and you’ll receive a special offer.

TAG IT! #ShopTheBlockKits

(Click Image to Enlarge)

(Click Image to Enlarge)

November marks the launch of a new campaign called Shop the Block organized by ReadyGo Media on behalf of Koko Monk Chocolates. Koko Monk Chocolates’ goal is to introduce people to new businesses and remind locals of old favorites while building a sense of community and supporting the local economy.

Visiting this area feels like being transported to another time and place. Yorkville, as many locals call it, features a number of alfresco street-side cafes amongst European style architecture and tree-lined streets. Yorkville spans the area of West 1st from Burard Street to about and including Cypress Street. It has a unique theme of beauty, health and creativity with several doctors’ offices and artisanal shops such as Rocky Mountain Flatbread and Krokodile Pear.

Joanne Probyn, founder and strategist of ReadyGo Media, is organizing the campaign on behalf of Koko Monk Chocolates and is pleased with the progress. “Interest in Shop the Block has already been outstanding,” says Joanne. “It’s creating excitement and building lasting relationships. This is a great format for any neighborhood. And it has the potential to grow while becoming more valuable to its community each year.”

10% off regular priced items

After successful collaborations in 2013, ReadyGo Media is pleased to announce a continued partnership with dStrategy Media.

“Joanne’s blogging for Digital Strategy Conference Vancouver 2013 helped drive heaps of website traffic for us; it’s a great case study. We’ve since hired two people to do what Joanne did for us on her own,” says Kelly Kubrick, co-founder and chair dStrategy Media. “We’re thrilled to be working with ReadyGo Media again, this time for eMarketing services.”

Chip Wilson, Lululemon founder, congratulates Dincer, Koko Monk Chocolates, "New Business of the Year" finalist and Probyn, ReadyGo Media, "Service Excellence" nominee at the West Side Business Awards.

ReadyGo Media recently partnered with Koko Monk Chocolates to launch their new retail shop and café located in Kitsilano.

Industry experts put the new business failure rate at 60-80% in the first year–with food services and new food products scoring as one of the worst sectors. While the figures vary, one thing is certain–ReadyGo Media understands every decision is critical for new and growing businesses.

According to Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, most restaurantsfail due to a lack of :

Marketing budget (consequently, they remain unknown)

Poor communications with consumers (frustrating and loosing the few customers they do have)

Failure to integrate a vision and mission into the operation (weak branding leading to confusion and rejection)

ReadyGo Media helped Koko Monk Chocolates define key business goals empowering them to get the most from their budget and time. They needed to build the brand and drive awareness.

Key Tactic: Exclusive Media Event

ReadyGo Media spearheaded the planning, promotion and publicity for an exclusive, sponsored media event marking the launch of their first retail store.

The results? Brand development and exposure that built trust–of consumers and affiliates–achieved through an outpouring of compelling, authentic stories…ultimately generating more and more opportunities.

Measurable results (achieved in less than two months):

Successful, exclusive event featuring guests including The Globe and Mail and key industry influencers resulting in 14 published stories with a reach of at least 500,000+

Secured event sponsorships from strategic partners valued at $4000+

Built a passionate online community resulting in valuable recommendations, publicity and word-of-mouth advertising

Strong relative growth; maintained good sales during their off-season

Generated a 40% increase in Facebook fans

Doubled unique website visitors

Increased website visits 61%

Increased Twitter fans 500%

Increased engagement and established a Klout score of 45

Measured over a five week period before and after the campaign.

Brand Assets:

Powerful brand messaging

Press kit

Photography

Promotional media booklet

5 star Yelp and Urban Spoon ratings

Paul Dincer, Founder Koko Monk Chocolates and Joanne Probyn, Founder ReadyGo Media with friends at the West Side Business Awards

Consequent Success Highlights

West Side Business Awards “New Business of the Year” finalist

Professionally produced video valued at $10,000 by TELUS OptikTV

Retail placement at Granville Island’s Edible Canada at the Market

Successful new product development

Built strong relationships resulting in invitations to participate in high-profile events including:

Partnering with ReadyGo Media has proven to be an excellent business decision. With strong signs of continued growth, recognition and profitability, Koko Monk Chocolates is looking forward to their first year anniversary just around the corner in February 2014.

Meet a multifaceted, dynamic woman…Maureen Webb. Maureen is a casting director, talent agent, restaurant/café owner and a simply a kind soul who supports young talent and phenomenal ideas. Have an exclusive inside look into her life, saturated by stage decorations, talented people, creative children and non-stop 24/7 action.

ReadyGo Media’s Business ProCast is our new podcast featuring interviews with business and not-for-profit leaders. We connect you with the people and information you need to start and grow your business. Get inspired by authentic success stories told by extraordinary entrepreneurs all around the world!